Accumulation of the chalcone isosalipurposide in primary leaves of barley flavonoid mutants indicates a defective chalcone isomerase

Mutants defective in flavonoid biosynthesis have become increasingly useful in elucidating the potential functions of these compounds in plants. To define the role of flavonoids as UV-B protectants in barley, we have screened part of the collection of proanthocyanidin-free barley mutants at the Carlsberg Research Laboratory, Copenhagen, Denmark. The four mutants ant 30–245, ant 30–272, ant 30–287 and ant 30–310 showed drastically reduced flavonoid levels in the primary leaf as compared to their corresponding parent varieties, and in addition accumulated a new mutant-specific phenolic compound which was identified as the chalcone glucoside isosalipurposide. Results from diallelic crosses indicate that all four mutants belong to the same new complementation group, which is designated as the Ant 30 locus. This gene has not earlier been described in barley. The data presented suggest a defective chalcone isomerase gene for the observed flavonoid pattern in leaves of ant 30 mutants.     

The flavonoids of Xylonagra (onagraceae)

Xylonagra arborea is a monotypic genus of the tribe Onagreae of the Onagraceae. The species is restricted to the desert regions of central Baja California in western Mexico. Four flavonol glycosides, myricetin 3-O-glucoside, myricetin 3-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-glucoside and quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside were found to occur in methanolic leaf extracts of each of the populations sampled. The data are consistent with earlier investigations of leaf flavonoids in the Onagreae and suggest interesting changes in B-ring hydroxylation patterns within the tribe.     

Triangularin,a new chalcone from Pityrogramma triangularis

2′,6′-Dihydroxy-4′-methoxy-3′-methylchalcone has been isolated from the exudate farina of the ceroptin chemotype of Pityrogramma triangularis. The analogous flavanone was also detected as a minor component in the extract.     

Expression of chalcone synthase and chalcone isomerase proteins in Arabidopsis seedlings

Antibodies have been developed against the first two enzymes of flavonoid biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) were overexpressed and purified from Escherichia coli as fusion proteins with glutathione S-transferase from Schistosoma japonicum. The recombinant proteins were then used to immunize chickens and the resulting IgY fraction was purified from egg yolks. Immunoblots of crude protein extracts from Arabidopsis seedlings carrying wild-type and null alleles for CHS and CHI showed that the resulting antibody preparations provide useful tools for characterizing expression of the flavonoid pathway at the protein level. An initial analysis of expression patterns in seedlings shows that CHS and CHI proteins are present at high levels during a brief period of early seedling germination that just precedes the transient accumulation of flavonoid end-products.     

Comparison of the inhibitory potential towards carbonic anhydrase,acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase of chalcone and chalcone epoxide

Chalcones and chalcone epoxides are important synthetic intermediates in organic and medicinal chemistry. Chalcones possess a broad spectrum of biological activities; however, 1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐propenone or chalcone has not been given the attention it deserve as its substituted derivatives. In this study, the inhibition effects of chalcone and its epoxidated derivative chalcone epoxide against human carbonic anhydrase isozymes I and II (hCA I and hCA II), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) were evaluated. The results obtained showed that both compounds exhibited potent inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values less than 10 µM. IC ₅₀ values in the submicromolar (hCA I and hCA II) to low micromolar range (AChE and BuChE) were observed for both compounds. The mechanism of inhibition and the inhibitory constants ( K _i values) for each compound were also determined. Furthermore, chalcone epoxide was docked within the active sites of hCA I, hCA II, AChE, and BuChE to explore its binding mode with the enzymes.     

Spontaneous and enzymic rearrangement of naringenin chalcone to flavanone

The isomerisation of 2′,4,4′,6′-tetrahydroxychalcone by the enzyme chalcone isomerase is difficult to assay accurately in view of the spontaneous cyclisation of this chalcone at the alkaline pH optimum of the enzyme. We report here that self-cyclisation of naringenin chalcone is dramatically reduced at pH-values ? 6.5 and in the presence of high concentrations of serum albumin (5–10 mg ml ^?1). We have critically evaluated existing assay procedures of chalcone isomerase, utilizing the effects of a monospecific anti-(chalcone isomerase) serum to distinguish between spontaneous and enzymic cyclisation of chalcone. We conclude that the modifications listed above considerably facilitate the measurement of chalcone isomerase kinetics.     

Flavonoids of gaura triangulata

Ten flavonoids were obtained from Gaura triangulata including luteolin and luteolin 7-glycoside derivatives which are atypical for the family Onagraceae. Apigenin-based C-glycosylflavones, previously reported from the Onagraceae in the monogeneric tribe Circaeeae, have also been identified. The flavonoid profile of G. triangulata is distinctive for the family since previous studies of the Onagraceae reported primarily flavonols.     

Improved preparation and assay of chalcone synthase

Preparation and assay of chalcone synthase in presence of sodium ascorbate and exclusion of oxygen during some steps gives improved yield and purity of 2S-naringenin.     

Mixtecacin,a prenylated flavanone and oaxacacin its chalcone from the roots of Tephrosia woodii

From the roots of Tephrosia woodii, a new Mexican Tephrosia species, a new prenylated flavanone, oaxacacin, and its chalcone, mixtecacin, have been isolated and their structures elucidated from their chemical properties and spectral data.     

Genetic control of chalcone synthase activity in flowers of Antirrhinum majus

Chalcone synthase activity was demonstrated in flower extracts of defined genotypes of Antirrhinum majus. Independent of the genetic state of the g     

Co-suppression in transgenic Petunia hybrida expressing chalcone synthase A (chsA)

Chalcone synthase A is a key enzyme in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. Expression of chsA gene in transgenic Petunia hybrida resulted in flower color alterations and co-suppression of transgenes and endogenous genes. We fused the β-glucuronidase (uidA) gene to the C-terminal of chsA gene, and transferred the fusion gene into Petunia hybrida via Agrobac-terium tumefaciens. GUS histochemical staining analysis showed that co-suppression occurred specifically during the development of flowers and co-suppression required the mutual interaction of endogenous genes and transgenes. RNA in situ hybridization analysis suggested that co-suppression occurred in the entire plant, and RNA degradation occurred in the cytoplasm.     

Distribution of stizolamine in some leguminous plants

The seeds of 38 species of 29 genera in 21 tribes of the Leguminosae were screened for stizolamine. It was detected in 19 species of the subfamily Lotoideae. Its occurrence in Lotoideae was wide (82% in tribes, 56% both in genera and species) but sporadic. The content was fairly varied (0·249–9540 nmol/g of seeds), the largest amount occurring in Stizolobium hassjoo.     

Crystal structure of chalcone synthase,a key enzyme for isoflavonoid biosynthesis in soybean

Isoflavonoid is one of the groups of flavonoids that play pivotal roles in the survival of land plants. Chalcone synthase (CHS), the first enzyme of the isoflavonoid biosynthetic pathway, catalyzes the formation of a common isoflavonoid precursor. We have previously reported that an isozyme of soybean CHS (termed GmCHS1) is a key component of the isoflavonoid metabolon, a protein complex to enhance efficiency of isoflavonoid production. Here, we determined the crystal structure of GmCHS1 as a first step of understanding the metabolon structure, as well as to better understand the catalytic mechanism of GmCHS1.     

Genetic control of chalcone isomerase activity in flowers of Dianthus caryophyllus

In flowers of Dianthus caryophyllus (carnation), the gene I is concerned with a discrete step in flavonoid biosynthesis, Genotypes with recessive (ii) alleles produce yellow flowers, which contain the chalcone isosalipurposide (naringenin-chalcone-2-glucoside) as the major petal pigment, but in genotypes with wild-type alleles flavonols and anthocyanins can be formed and the flowers are white or red. Enzymatic measurements on petal extracts of four strains with different flower coloration revealed a clear correlation between accumulation of chalcone in recessive genotypes and deficiency of chalcone isomerase (E.C. 5.5.1.6) activity. From the chemogenetic and enzymological evidence it can be concluded that naringenin-chalcone is the first product of the synthesis of the flavonoid skeleton and that only the conversion of naringenin-chalcone to naringenin furnishes the substrate for the further reactions to flavonol and anthocyanin.These investigations were supported by a grant from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

The flavonoids of Megalodonta beckii and isolation of 2′-3-Dihydroxy-4-methoxy-4′-glucosyl chalcone

A new naturally occurring chalcone glycoside, $\text{2′,-}\text{dihydroxy}\text{-4-}\text{methoxy}\text{-4′-O-β-}\text{d}\text{-}\text{glucosyl}$ chalcone, and other chalcones, aurones, flavonols, and anthocyanins are reported from Megalodonta (Bidens) beckii. The plan is an amphibious aquatic with heterophyllous leaves, but the presence of certain flavonoids is correlated with vegetative versus floral tissues rather than vegetative leaf form. The implications of flavonoid chemistry with respect to the relationship of M. beckii to several sections of Bidens are discussed.     

水母雪莲查尔酮合酶基因的克隆、表达及酶活分析

从水母雪莲Saussurea medusa Maxim. cDNA文库中得到一段查尔酮合酶基因 (SmCHS) 片段,然后通过RT-PCR得到完整的查尔酮合酶基因cDNA。序列分析表明SmCHS全长1 313 bp,其开放阅读框为1 170 bp,编码389个氨基酸,预测表达蛋白的分子量为43 kDa。构建原核表达质粒pET28a(+)-SmCHS,重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),获得表达菌株。经IPTG诱导表达后,对表达产物进行SDS-PAGE分析,结果显示,表达的融合蛋白以部分可溶的形式存在。用Ni-NTA预装柱对融合蛋白进行亲和纯化,对纯化蛋白进行酶活检测,结果表明融合蛋白具有查尔酮合酶活性,可催化底物4-香豆酰辅酶A和丙二酰辅酶A缩合生成产物柚皮素查尔酮。